How to Ship Internationally on eBay: A Complete Seller’s Guide

Selling on eBay gives you access to a global marketplace, but if you’re not offering international shipping, you could be missing out on a significant portion of potential sales.

The good news is that shipping internationally on eBay is more straightforward than it seems, especially when you have the right tools in place.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through how eBay international shipping works, the options available, how to prepare your parcels correctly, and how platforms like Interparcel can help you streamline the entire process.

Why Sell Internationally on eBay?

Opening your store to international buyers expands your reach well beyond your local market.

Here’s why more sellers are choosing to go global:

• Access to more customers: Millions of international shoppers browse eBay for products they can’t find locally.
• Higher order values: Buyers are often willing to pay more for unique or specialty items, especially from Australia.
• Business growth: International orders allow you to scale without needing new local audiences.

If your products are lightweight, non-perishable, and easy to ship, you’re in a strong position to tap into global demand.

How eBay International Shipping Works

When you offer international shipping on your listings, eBay automatically displays your items to buyers in eligible countries. You can choose to set your own shipping preferences or use one of eBay’s global shipping programs.

Here’s a basic overview of how it works:

• Shipping rate options: Choose between a flat rate (a fixed fee regardless of destination) or a calculated rate (based on weight, dimensions, and destination).
• Who pays for shipping: Typically, the buyer pays. The cost is added at checkout based on your listing settings.
• Label creation: Once an international item is sold, you can purchase and print the shipping label directly through eBay or via an external shipping platform.
• Tracking and updates: Most couriers provide tracking, which is automatically shared with the buyer.

eBay Global Shipping Program vs International Shipping

eBay offers two pathways for sellers shipping overseas: handling it yourself or using their Global Shipping Program (GSP).

What is the Global Shipping Program (GSP)?

With GSP, you send your parcel to eBay’s global fulfilment centre in your country (e.g., in NSW or Victoria for Australian sellers). eBay then takes care of:

• Repackaging (if needed)
• Customs paperwork
• International delivery
• Tracking and buyer communication

Benefits of GSP

• You don’t need to worry about international delivery logistics
• Customs and taxes are handled automatically
• Buyers get clear estimates of import charges at checkout

Drawbacks of GSP

• It can be more expensive for buyers due to eBay’s handling fees
• You have less control over couriers, delivery speed, and packaging
• Not all countries or product types are supported

If you want more flexibility or want to offer lower-cost shipping alternatives, using your own international shipping method may be a better fit.

Choosing the Right Courier for International Orders

eBay supports a range of couriers, and you can also use your own courier accounts or third-party platforms. Common options for Australian sellers include:

• Australia Post
• UPS
• FedEx
• DHL Express

When choosing a courier, consider:

• Delivery times: Standard vs express options
• Destination coverage: Not all couriers deliver to every country
• Pricing and surcharges: Be aware of fuel or remote area fees
• Tracking: Ensure full tracking is available for peace of mind

It’s also worth checking whether your courier offers pickup or if you’ll need to drop parcels off yourself.

Customs, Duties & Taxes Explained

Customs documentation is mandatory when shipping overseas. Get this wrong, and your parcel could be delayed, returned, or hit with unexpected charges.

Here’s what you need to know:

• Customs forms: You must include a customs declaration with accurate item details, HS codes, and declared value.
• Who pays duties: Generally, the buyer is responsible, unless you prepay duties through a courier or service that supports Delivered Duty Paid (DDP).
• HS Codes: These are international product classification codes used by customs. Including the correct code can prevent delays.
• Be transparent: Let buyers know if customs charges may apply. Many sellers include this in their shipping policy.

Some couriers, like UPS and DHL Express, allow you to pre-calculate and charge duties at checkout, giving your buyer full cost visibility.

Packaging and Labelling for Overseas Shipping

International shipping often involves multiple handling points, so strong packaging is essential.

Packaging Tips

• Use sturdy, double-walled boxes or padded mailers
• Fill empty space with void fill to prevent items shifting
• Tape securely using strong packaging tape
• Avoid branding that could make the parcel a theft target

Labelling Tips

• Ensure the label is clear and scannable
• Print in 4x6 format for thermal printers
• Attach customs documentation securely and visibly
• Double-check that the destination address includes all necessary info (postcode, country code, etc.)

Before booking, check if your item is restricted or prohibited in the destination country.

Tools That Simplify eBay International Shipping

Managing international orders manually can be time-consuming, especially if you're using multiple couriers or selling across platforms.

For example, some sellers still rely on the MyPost Business integration with eBay. When a customer adds more items to their cart, the order often has to be duplicated multiple times, which then creates duplicate orders at fulfilment. This leaves the seller with the extra step of manually merging items back into a single order.

That’s where shipping platforms like Interparcel come in.

eBay Shipping with Interparcel

Interparcel is a multi-courier shipping platform that integrates directly with eBay, making it easier to manage international shipping without the guesswork.

Key Features for eBay Sellers:

• Connect your eBay store in seconds
• Automatically import orders for streamlined fulfilment
• Compare courier rates across international services like UPS, DHL, and more
• Print shipping labels and customs documents from a single dashboard
• Use Print Manager to skip PDFs and print everything instantly
• Merge all orders from the same customer to save on packaging and fulfilment time
• Set automation rules to speed up label creation
• No subscription fees, only pay when you book a shipment

Whether you’re sending 10 parcels a week or 500, Interparcel provides the flexibility and visibility you need to ship internationally with confidence, while reducing your fulfillment time.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Even experienced sellers can run into trouble with international shipping. Here are some common pitfalls to steer clear of:

• Incomplete or incorrect customs information
• Using untracked delivery methods for valuable orders
• Under-declaring item value (risking penalties or delays)
• Shipping prohibited or restricted goods
• Not communicating clearly with buyers about customs duties or delivery times

A little extra attention up front can save you time, money, and unhappy customers down the line.

Final Tips for Shipping Internationally with Confidence

• Offer both standard and express shipping options where possible
• Be upfront about delivery estimates and potential import duties
• Invest in quality packaging to reduce damage and loss
• Use automation tools to reduce admin as your business scales
• Stay updated with courier rules and country-specific restrictions

International shipping doesn’t need to be complicated. With the right setup, you can confidently sell to customers around the world, and deliver a smooth experience from checkout to doorstep.

Ready to take your eBay shipping global?

Shipping internationally on eBay might seem complex at first, but once you understand the process, it becomes much more manageable.

You’ve learned how to choose the right couriers, compare eBay’s Global Shipping Program with self-managed options, and prepare customs documentation the right way. You also know how to package your items securely, label them correctly, and avoid the common mistakes that lead to delays or unhappy buyers.

With tools like Interparcel, you can automate the process, access discounted international rates, and manage everything from one simple platform, saving time while staying in control.

If you’re ready to grow your store and reach more customers around the world, now’s the time to start. Connect your eBay store to Interparcel and make global shipping simple, reliable, and scalable.